You’re staring at a grid. It’s a Wednesday NYT or maybe a late-week LA Times, and the cursor is blinking at a five-letter gap for the prompt "more beloved." You’ve already tried "loved," but that’s four letters. You thought about "adored," but that’s six.
The answer is almost certainly DEARER.
It feels a bit old-fashioned, doesn't it? Nobody really walks around saying, "My cat is dearer to me than my goldfish" in casual conversation anymore. But in the world of crosswords, where brevity and vowel density are king, certain words become permanent residents. They are the "crosswordese" that separates the casual Sunday morning solvers from the people who can finish a Friday without a single Google search.
The Linguistic Logic of More Beloved Crossword Clue Solves
Why "dearer"? It’s basically about efficiency. In the English language, "dear" has two primary lives. One is about price—expensive, costly, high-priced. The other is emotional—precious, cherished, beloved. When a constructor needs a comparative form for "more beloved," they are looking for a word that fits into a tight geometric space.
"More loved" is two words. That’s a no-go for standard grids unless it's a themed phrase. "Adored" is a verb or a participle, not a comparative adjective. So, the constructor reaches into the linguistic attic and pulls out "dearer."
It’s an elegant solution for a grid designer. You’ve got two ‘E’s and an ‘R’ at the end. In the world of Scrabble or crosswords, those are "friendly" letters. They help bridge the gap between difficult vertical words. If you have "DEARER" running across, that final ‘R’ is a perfect starting point for words like "REAR," "RISK," or "ROAD."
Honestly, the word carries a sort of Victorian weight. It reminds me of those old letters home from the front lines. "My dearer half." It sounds dusty, but it’s technically accurate. In many dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster and Oxford, "dear" is synonymous with "beloved." Therefore, the comparative is "dearer."
The Evolution of the Clue
If you look back at archives from the 1990s or early 2000s, this clue popped up with startling frequency. Will Shortz, the legendary New York Times crossword editor, has a specific fondness for words that have multiple meanings. It’s a way to trick the solver.
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Think about it. If the clue is "more expensive," you might write "dearer." If the clue is "more beloved," you also write "dearer." That ambiguity is the "aha!" moment constructors live for. They want you to think about your bank account first, only to realize later that they’re talking about your grandmother or a favorite pet.
But things are shifting. Modern constructors like Erik Agard or Brooke Husic are pushing for more contemporary language. They might prefer clues that reference pop culture or modern slang. Yet, the old guard remains. The "more beloved crossword clue" remains a staple because it’s a structural necessity. When you’re trapped in a corner of the grid and you have a D, an A, and an R, your options are limited.
Why Some Solvers Get Stuck
It’s easy to see why this trips people up. In 2026, we just don't use "dear" that way. If someone says, "This is dear to me," we get it. But "This is dearer"? It sounds like you’re about to break into a Shakespearean monologue.
Crosswords are essentially a secret language. You aren't just testing your knowledge of facts; you're testing your knowledge of how constructors think. You have to realize that they are looking for the most compact version of a sentiment.
- Pricier (7 letters) - Too long for many slots.
- Costlier (8 letters) - Even worse for small corners.
- More Loved (9 letters including the space) - Rare in standard grids.
- Dearer (6 letters) - The "Goldilocks" zone of crossword length.
Sometimes, the clue might be slightly different. You might see "More precious" or "More highly valued." The answer remains the same. It’s a linguistic chameleon.
The Crosswordese Factor
We have to talk about "crosswordese." This refers to words that appear in puzzles far more often than they do in real life. Think of "ALEE" (the side sheltered from the wind) or "ERIE" (the canal, the lake, or the tribe). "DEARER" is on the fringes of this category. It’s a real word, sure, but its utility in a grid is what keeps it alive.
If you are a frequent solver, you start to build a mental map. You see "more beloved," and your brain doesn't even process the meaning anymore; it just triggers the muscle memory for D-E-A-R-E-R. It’s like a shortcut.
But what if it's not "dearer"?
Occasionally, you’ll see PETTER. No, not someone who strokes a cat. It’s the comparative of "pet," as in a "pet project" or a "pet favorite." It’s rare. It’s clunky. Most editors avoid it because it feels "green paint-ish"—a term used for phrases that are technically words but aren't common enough to be satisfying.
Then there is SWEETER. This shows up when the context is more about affection or "dearness" in a sentimental sense. If the clue is "more beloved, as a child," then "sweeter" might fit. But "dearer" is the heavy hitter.
Tips for Mastering These Types of Clues
The best way to tackle these is to stop thinking about how people talk and start thinking about how words are built.
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Look at the suffix. If the clue is "more beloved," the answer must be a comparative adjective ending in "-er" or a word preceded by "more" (though "more" is usually in the clue itself). If the clue is "most beloved," you’re looking for "dearest."
Always check the cross-references. If you’re unsure about that second 'E' in "dearer," look at the vertical clue intersecting it. If the vertical clue is "bird of peace," and you have D_ _ RER, and the second letter of the bird is 'O', you know you’re looking for "DOVE." That confirms the 'O' and the 'V,' which might not help with "dearer" specifically, but it narrows down the possibilities for the rest of the word.
Real-World Examples from Major Outlets
- NYT Crossword: Often uses "more beloved" to lead to "dearer," but might also use it to lead to "adored" if the grid is larger and the tense matches.
- The New Yorker: Known for slightly more "literary" clues. They might use a quote from a classic novel where "dearer" appears to give you a hint.
- USA Today: Usually keeps it simpler. You might see "most beloved" = "dearest."
The Psychological Hook of the Crossword
There is something deeply satisfying about filling in a word like "dearer." It’s a word we know, but we don't use. It feels like uncovering a fossil. You’re reaching back into the history of the English language to solve a modern logic puzzle.
Crosswords are one of the few places where "archaic" isn't a bad thing. It’s just another tool in the box.
When you encounter the "more beloved crossword clue," don't let it frustrate you. It’s a classic. It’s a nod to the history of the game. It’s the constructor saying, "I know you know this one." And once you write it in, those E's and R's will open up the rest of the corner, and suddenly, the whole grid starts to fall into place.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Solve
- Anticipate the "-er": Whenever you see "more" in a clue, immediately look for a 5 or 6-letter word ending in "er." It’s the most common construction.
- Think in Synonyms: "Dear" is the most common synonym for "beloved" in the puzzle world. Memorize this connection.
- Check for Tense: If the clue is "loved more," it might be "endeared." If it's "more beloved," it's "dearer." That "ed" vs "er" distinction is a frequent trap.
- Vowel Counting: "Dearer" has three vowels. If your cross-words are vowel-heavy, this is a likely candidate to balance the grid.
- Practice with Archives: Use sites like XWordInfo to see how often "dearer" has appeared in the last decade. You'll see it’s a consistent performer.
Don't overthink it. Most of the time, the simplest, most "crosswordy" answer is the correct one. Stick to the basics, trust the comparative suffix, and you’ll clear that section of the grid in no time.